Des Moines, Iowa (CNN) – Democrats are planning to respond to the Republican presidential candidates who remain the focus in Iowa ahead of Tuesday's caucuses.

The Democratic National Committee opened the Des Moines war room Sunday, which will serve as the "home base for all rapid response activities" including press conferences and media events, according to DNC Press Secretary Melanie Roussell.
In keeping with the DNC's systematic attacks on frontrunner Mitt Romney, the first press conference Sunday will go after the former Massachusetts governor's history as the top executive at Bain Capital. Randy Johnson, a worker laid off when Bain purchased American Pad and Paper Company, is scheduled to address reporters in Des Moines.

"Every time Mitt Romney opens his mouth to attack the president, Democrats will be immediately available to respond and let the people of Iowa know who Mitt Romney really is," Roussell told CNN.

Michael Czin, DNC assistant press secretary, said the DNC will highlight Romney's "inconsistent and dishonest campaign" as well as the "far right" positions of the entire GOP presidential field.

The DNC is set to hold at least one press conference per day ahead of the Tuesday's contest, according to Czin. Other Democratic officials, including DNC Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and DNC Communications Director Brad Woodhouse, will serve as surrogates throughout the Hawkeye State.

Although Obama is unopposed on the Democratic side of the aisle, the DNC shop in a downtown Des Moines hotel is the latest step by Democrats to build upon their ground game in the first-in-the-nation caucus state that they hope to once again capture in the 2012 general election.

"We have a high level of activism," Czin told CNN. "It's the bread and butter of the Democratic party."
- CNN Political Editor Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

soundoff(16 Responses)

HAAHAA

Dear DNC, as an American who has a brain, we know it's pretty obvious that your man, Obama, would want to run against the most incompetent candidate. It wouldn't make sense that you would attach Mitt Romney before he's elected as the nominee if you felt he was indeed incompetent. If so, you would encourage him in fact. However, your efforts are obvious, to get rid of the man who poses the greatest threat to Obama, that being Romney. Also, the DNC holding press conferences really doesn't influence republicans, since republicans obviously don't vote democrat and don't share your views. Nice Try DNC, we're reading right through you, and frankly, further reinforces our belief that Romney stands as your greatest fear to run against. Kinda makes our voting easier you know! :)

January 1, 2012 05:30 pm at 5:30 pm |

CA Dream USA

Change that matters.....Love that.....

January 1, 2012 05:53 pm at 5:53 pm |

george of the jungle

The attacks the press keeps talking about are pretty mild. pointing out where ol mitt has flip flopped back and forth. No where near like the attacks by his own party or the ones they use against the president. As far back as I can remember the pres has not called anyone a lier or taken a swip hat his opponents wife or kids. He has asked for not birth certificats or for anyone to show his colledge grades . Come on now stop makeing up news. Of course the dems are watching and planning stratigy. Isn't that what you do in an election year.?We just have a lot of fodder this time around. And that is with out Mitts tax returns.

January 1, 2012 06:01 pm at 6:01 pm |

one voice

I'm sure the message will be straight forward and right on message.. Can you right-wing bloggers "google" the contents so we don't have to fight with you later. The winner of the losers are shaking in His/Her boots knowing that one of them will be used to wipe the floor with. Debate ANYONE? Obama/Biden 2012

January 1, 2012 06:15 pm at 6:15 pm |

gt

they need a new montra..change that matters ..the change that america has recieved stinks..

January 1, 2012 06:31 pm at 6:31 pm |

Larry L

One of the more cynical comments I've seen Republicans make over the last three years is the Palin remark about "how is the hopey-changie thing workin' for ya' now?". It's been repeated by many in these comments from readers. Conservative worked very hard to prevent any meaningful change and to block progress at every level. They successfully lowered the US bond rating and effectively hampered job creation with nothing but filibusters and Tea Party nonsense from Congress. But to actually taunt people about any lack of progress is quite sleazy and very unpatriotic.

January 1, 2012 06:42 pm at 6:42 pm |

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ

There is going to be review of each statement by this group. I guess the question is will other groups do that as well... If they do, how much bias and review will they do? Fact checking is becoming big business.

January 1, 2012 08:25 pm at 8:25 pm |

Bob in Pa

hmm change that matters ? so catchy !

January 1, 2012 09:57 pm at 9:57 pm |

T'sah from Virginia

►"Every time Mitt Romney opens his mouth to attack the president, Democrats will be immediately available to respond and let the people of Iowa know who Mitt Romney really is," ◄

Not only Romney – you better watch those PACs who Romney claims he has no control over!! Yea, right, in Romney's case, PAC means...

Thats right! Expose the repuke lies as fast as they tell them. I just hope theres a big crew because theres gonna be a lot of lying going on. OBAMA2012

January 1, 2012 10:43 pm at 10:43 pm |

Expat American

Good to hear the DNC is readying itself for the nasty battle which lies ahead.
I’m interested to see which of the obstructionist liars from the brownshirt party of mass Genocide Over Policy (GOP) will assume the mantle of chief liar for this election cycle
One Last question. Why do poor uneducated Republican Whites continue to vote for the GOP – when Republicans care nothing for poor people, White or not; and it’s Democrats who sign their welfare checks?

January 1, 2012 10:50 pm at 10:50 pm |

Name king

The DMC is correct in what theyre doing. They can I'll afford to allow the repubs to stress their lies and miss informational unabated, Look at newt! The dens need to counter every lies with facts. I know how the repubs loath facts, but dens and independents will chose rationality over the repubs fairytail talking points and fox news who only can see negativity, especially where the dens are.concerned. I am surprised this country is still on the map, the amount of times fox news said that our country will seize to exist because of dens policies.

January 1, 2012 11:36 pm at 11:36 pm |

Tom

~ Go Team! ~
Change That Matters
~Obama~
~Senate,and Congress
~2012~

January 2, 2012 12:49 am at 12:49 am |

Marry

Yes, the DNC should response! Call GOP/TP out! But, do it a little classy and work in short sentences! Not that the far right would be persuaded with facts or reason – but it might just prevent all the GOP/TP talking points and disinformation to get hold of people that are not so entrenched yet!

January 2, 2012 02:33 am at 2:33 am |

barry

The Dems should stay out of it. There time is coming soon. They need to be able to answer where are the jobs. That won't be easy to escape.